Delhi Police personnel protest at headquarters over officer transfers
The agitation follows the transfer of an ACP and an SHO after a confrontation between police and lawyers.
Around 80 police personnel held a protest outside the Delhi Police headquarters on Monday morning against the transfer of two colleagues. According to The New Indian Express, the agitation followed the transfer of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashistha and Shahdara Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Arun Kumar.
The transfers occurred after a confrontation between police and lawyers at a police station, during which an advocate was allegedly injured. Advocates had previously held a strike demanding the suspension of the officers, alleging the ACP displayed a revolver and intimidated them.
Protesting personnel gathered at Gate No. 1 of the headquarters, demanding that the officers be reinstated to their previous postings. They also alleged misbehaviour and threats by lawyers. DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma attempted to persuade the group to maintain discipline, but the personnel insisted on a direct dialogue with the Commissioner.
The situation escalated as personnel staged a sit-in inside the headquarters. The Tribune reported that Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Special Commissioners convened an emergency meeting at the Adarsh Auditorium to hear grievances.
During the meeting, ACP Vashistha demanded that no legal action be taken against the protesting personnel and that cases registered against lawyers not be withdrawn. While the first round of talks failed to yield a breakthrough, Vashistha stated that officials assured them the matter would be raised at an appropriate forum.